Piezoelectric Power Generation System

ABSTRACT

A piezoelectric power generation device includes a stator, a rotor, and one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. The stator comprises an internal surface which defines an internal orifice. The one or more piezoelectric power generation elements are disposed on the internal surface of the stator. The rotor is disposed within the internal orifice comprising one or more lobes formed on an outside surface of the rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate with respect to the stator and the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. The one or more lobes contact the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements as the one or more lobes rotate past the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. The one or more piezoelectric power generation elements generate energy when contacted by the one or more lobes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to fluid induced power generation.Specifically, the present application relates to a piezoelectric powergeneration system with protected piezoelectric elements.

BACKGROUND

Many modern systems and equipment are equipped with various electronicsensing and control devices to enhance and carry out functionality ofthe systems. The capabilities of these systems range from monitoringsystem and environmental conditions to controlling aspects of the systembased on these conditions or other control parameters. Such sensing andcontrol devices, as well as some other electronic components of thesystem need to be powered. However, many of these systems are locatedremote from power sources, such as systems in subterranean or downholeenvironments, as is common in the oil and gas industry. In such cases,it may undesirable or impractical to provide power lines from the powersources to the systems.

Remote power generation systems were developed and often used togenerate power at the system and provide power to the systemelectronics. A number of power generation methods are used, includingflow induced vibration, fluid flow energy, radioactive materials, andthe like. One prominent remote power generation technique involves theuse of piezoelectric elements, which generate energy through vibrationalmotion. For example, in downhole systems, the current state of the artis to expose small and independent piezoelectric elements against theflow of a fluid stream so that the interaction between the piezoelectricelements and the fluid stream maintains a level of high frequencyvibration, causing the piezoelectric elements to generate and outputenergy. However, when piezoelectric elements are exposed to the fluidflow stream, which may contain particulates, erosion or other wear onthe piezoelectric elements may occur, decreasing the longevity of thepiezoelectric elements and thus the power generation system.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a piezoelectricpower generation system. The system includes a power generation device,an impeller, and a power storage device. The power generation deviceincludes a stator and a rotor. The stator comprises an internal surfacewhich defines an internal orifice. The stator further includes one ormore piezoelectric elements disposed on the internal surface of thestator, and a rotor disposed within the internal orifice comprising oneor more lobes formed on an outside surface of the rotor. The rotor isconfigured to rotate with respect to the stator and the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements. The one or more lobes contactthe one or more piezoelectric power generation elements as the one ormore lobes rotate past the one or more piezoelectric power generationelements. The one or more piezoelectric power generation elementsgenerate energy when contacted by the one or more lobes. The impeller iscoupled to the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor when theimpeller is actuated by a flow of fluid. The power storage device isconfigured to store energy generated by the one or more piezoelectricpower generation elements.

In another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to apiezoelectric power generation device. The piezoelectric powergeneration device includes a stator, a rotor, and one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements. The stator comprises aninternal surface which defines an internal orifice. The one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements are disposed on the internalsurface of the stator. The rotor is disposed within the internal orificecomprising one or more lobes formed on an outside surface of the rotor.The rotor is configured to rotate with respect to the stator and the oneor more piezoelectric power generation elements. The one or more lobescontact the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements as theone or more lobes rotate past the one or more piezoelectric powergeneration elements. The one or more piezoelectric power generationelements generate energy when contacted by the one or more lobes.

In another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to apiezoelectric power generation device. The device includes a rotor, astator, and one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. Therotor comprises an internal surface defining an internal orifice. Theinternal surface includes one or more lobes disposed thereon. The statoris disposed within the internal orifice and comprises an outer surface.The one or more piezoelectric elements are disposed on the outer surfaceof the stator towards the internal surface of the rotor. The rotor isconfigured to rotate around the stator and the one or more piezoelectricpower generation elements. The one or more lobes contact the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements as the one or more lobes rotatepast the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. The one ormore piezoelectric power generation elements generate energy whencontacted by the one or more lobes.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will beapparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope, as the disclosures herein may admit to other equally effectiveembodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally,certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visuallyconvey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designatelike or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. In oneor more embodiments, one or more of the features shown in each of thefigures may be omitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted.Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limitedto the specific arrangements of components shown in these figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example application of apiezoelectric power generation system, in which the piezoelectric powergeneration system is used in a downhole environment, in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of the power generationsystem disposed around a pipe, in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of a power generation unit withstacked piezoelectric elements, in accordance with example embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the power generation unitof FIG. 3a , in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unithaving flexible piezoelectric elements, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4b illustrates a perspective view of the power generation unit ofFIG. 4a , in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unithaving stacked piezoelectric elements, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unithaving flexible piezoelectric elements, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a power generation unit with an integrated impeller,in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a power generation unit within an integratedpropeller, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rotor with outwardrollers, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rotor with inwardrollers, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments directed to power generation systems and methodswill now be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingfigures. Like, but not necessarily the same or identical, elements inthe various figures are denoted by like reference numerals forconsistency. In the following detailed description of the exampleembodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the disclosure herein. However, it willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the exampleembodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features have not been describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Theexample embodiments illustrated herein include certain components thatmay be replaced by alternate or equivalent components in other exampleembodiments as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.Many example embodiments discussed in the present disclosure aredirected towards a downhole power generation application. Such examplesare employed to exhibit features of the present disclosure in context,and not as a limitation on the application of such. In practice, thesystems and techniques disclosed herein have applications insubterranean environments, underwater environments, and above-groundsystems.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example applicationof a piezoelectric power generation system 102. Specifically, FIG. 1illustrates a schematic diagram of a well site 100 in which thepiezoelectric power generation system 102 has been deployed, inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Incertain example embodiments, and as illustrated, the piezoelectric powergeneration system 102 (hereinafter “power generation system”) isdeployed in a wellbore 108. The wellbore 108 is formed in a subterraneanformation 118 and coupled to a rig 110 on a surface 112 of the formation118. The formation 118 can include one or more of a number of formationtypes, including but not limited to shale, limestone, sandstone, clay,sand, and salt. The surface 112 may be ground level for an on-shoreapplication or the sea floor for an off-shore application. In certainembodiments, a subterranean formation 118 can also include one or morereservoirs in which one or more resources (e.g., oil, gas, water, steam)are located. In certain example embodiments, the wellbore 108 is casedwith cement or other casing material, which is perforated to allowfluids to flow from the formation 118 into the well 108. In certainexample embodiments, the well 108 is a multi-zone well. A productiontubing 106 is disposed downhole within the well 108. Fluids arerecovered and brought to the rig 110 through the production tubing 106.In certain example embodiments, a production packer 105 is coupled tothe production tubing 106.

In certain example embodiments, the power generation system 102 isdisposed in an annular space 114 around a portion of the productiontubing 106. In certain example embodiments, the power generation system102 is sealed between the production tubing 106 and the wellbore 108such that fluid traveling from a first portion 114 a of the annularspace to a second portion 114 b of the annular space is forced to travelthrough at least a portion of the power generation system 102, in whichthe first portion 114 a of the annular space is adjacent a first end 104of the electric power generation system 102 and the second portion 114 bof the annular space is adjacent a second end 107 of the powergeneration system 102.

In certain example embodiments, a first portion of the production tubing106 a adjacent the first portion of the annular space 114 a and thefirst end 104 of the power generation system 102 is not perforated, suchthat production fluid flowing into the first portion of the wellbore 108a does not flow directly into the first portion of the production tubing106 a. Rather, in certain example embodiments, production fluid flowinginto the first portion of the wellbore 108 a is forced to flow throughthe power generation system 102 and into the second portion of theannular space 114 b. In certain example embodiments, a second portion ofthe production tubing 106 b adjacent the second portion of the annularspace 114 b contains perforations 116, which allow the production fluidto flow from the second portion of the annular space 114 b into theproduction tubing 106. The production fluid can then travel to thesurface 112 where it is recovered.

In practice, the power generation system 102 can be used in many otherapplications other than the downhole application described in FIG. 1.FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram 200 of the power generationsystem 102 disposed around a pipe 202, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. The pipe 202 can be any type oftubular structure, including pipes in a production well, pipes within arefinery or other process facility, and a pipeline. Generally, the pipe202 can be any tubular structure configured to transport fluid from onelocation to another. In certain example embodiments, the powergeneration system 102 includes an impeller 204 coupled to a powergeneration unit 210 via a bearing system 206. As fluid flows through theimpeller 204, the impeller rotates, actuating the power generation unit210. In certain example embodiments, the power generation system 102includes a power and electronics unit 212. In certain exampleembodiments, the power and electronics unit 212 includes a power storagedevice which stores the power generated by the power generation unit 210and supplies power to various peripheral electronics devices. In certainexample embodiments a seal is disposed over the power generation unit210 to prevent external fluids or debris from entering the powergeneration unit 210. In certain example embodiments, the powergeneration system 102 is disposed within a housing 214. In certainexample embodiments, the housing 214 includes a selectable power port216 and a selectable production port 218. The selectable power port 216and the selectable production port 218 can both be opened or closed bycontrol. In certain example embodiments, when the power port 216 is openand the production port 218 is closed, fluid is forced to traverse theimpeller 204 when flowing from the first portion 114 a to the secondportion 114 b of an annular space. Thus, the impeller 204 rotates andthe power generation unit 210 is actuated and power is generated. Whenthe power port 216 is closed and the production port is open, the fluidflows around the power generation system 102 and bypasses the impeller204. Thus, the power generation unit 210 is not actuated and power isnot generated.

In certain example embodiments, the power generation unit 210 includespiezoelectric elements, which when actuated through vibrational motion,generate energy. FIGS. 3-8 illustrate various example embodiments of thepower generation unit 210. FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of apower generation unit 300 with stacked piezoelectric elements 306, andFIG. 3b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the power generation unit300 of FIG. 3a , in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b , the power generation unit 300includes a stator 302 and a rotor 304. In certain example embodiments,the stator 302 is cylindrical shaped with an inside surface 310 definingan internal orifice. The stator 302 includes one or more stackedpiezoelectric elements 306 disposed along the inside surface 310. Incertain example embodiments, the stacked piezoelectric elements 306 aremade up of a plurality of piezoelectric sheets stacked together. Incertain example embodiments, the stacked piezoelectric elements 306 aredisposed in one or more rows 318. In certain example embodiments, thestacked piezoelectric elements 306 are disposed in respective recesses314 formed along the inside surface 310. Generally, the shape of therecesses 314 are configured to receive the at least a portion of thestacked piezoelectric elements 306. In certain example embodiments, atleast one side of the stacked piezoelectric elements 306 is exposed tothe internal orifice and/or is raised above the profile of the insidesurface 310.

In certain example embodiments, the rotor 304 is at least partiallydisposed within the internal orifice of the stator 302. In certainexample embodiments, the rotor 304 is substantially cylindrical shapedwith one or more lobes 312 formed on an outside surface 316. In certainexample embodiments, the lobes 312 have a curved or rounded shape asshown in the drawings. In certain other example embodiments, the lobes312 have triangular or gear-teeth shapes, among other shapes. In certainexample embodiments, as the rotor 304 rotates, the motion of the lobes312 applies a force to the one or more stacked piezoelectric elements306 and the force includes a normal component that pushes against thepiezoelectric elements 306 in an outward direction toward the stator302. The stacked piezoelectric elements 306 generate energy whenimpacted by the normal force. In example embodiments, the lobes 510 areformed integrally with the rotor 502. In certain other embodiments, andas illustrated in FIG. 9, the lobes 312 include rollers 902 disposed incorrespondingly shaped roller holders 904 formed on the rotor 304. Theroller holders 904 retain the rollers 902 while allowing the rollers 902to spin. In such example embodiments, the rollers 902 are roll acrossthe one or more stacked piezoelectric elements 306 rather than slidingacross the one or more stacked piezoelectric elements 306. This reducesthe amount of friction and abrasive wear on the equipment. In certainexample embodiments, the rotor 304 is coupled to an impeller 204 (FIG.2) and thus rotates when the impeller 204 rotates in response to theflow of fluid. When the rotor 304 rotates, the one or more lobes 312continuously impact the one or more stacked piezoelectric elements 306,and the power generation unit 300 converts electric pulses from stackedpiezoelectric elements to electric power.

In certain example embodiments, the rotor 304 is disposed around thepipe 202 and rotates around the pipe 202. In certain exampleembodiments, the power generation unit 300 further includes a protectivelayer 308 disposed between the stator 302 and the rotor 304. Theprotective layer 308 is thus also disposed between the stackedpiezoelectric elements 306 and the lobes 312. The protective layer 308decreases the amount of frictional force between the stackedpiezoelectric elements 306 and the lobes 312, which decreases wear onthe stacked piezoelectric elements 306. The protective layer can befabricated from any material which translates the normal force of thelobes 312 to the stacked piezoelectric elements 306. In certain exampleembodiments, the protective layer may be metallic or polymericmaterials.

FIG. 4a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unit400 having flexible piezoelectric elements 406, and FIG. 4b illustratesa perspective view of the power generation unit 400 of FIG. 4a , inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Referringto FIGS. 4a and 4b , the power generation unit 400 includes a stator 402and a rotor 404. In certain example embodiments, the stator 402 iscylindrical shaped with an inside surface 408 defining an internalorifice. The stator 402 includes one or more flexible piezoelectricsheets 406 extending inwardly from the inside surface 310. In certainexample embodiments, the flexible piezoelectric sheets 406 are disposedin one or more rows along a length of the stator 402.

In certain example embodiments, the rotor 404 is at least partiallydisposed within the internal orifice of the stator 402. In certainexample embodiments, the rotor 404 is substantially cylindrical shapedwith one or more lobes 410 formed on an outside surface 412 of the rotor404. In certain example embodiments, the flexible piezoelectric sheets406 extend from the stator 402 towards the rotor 404. In certain exampleembodiments, the flexible piezoelectric sheets 406 extend a distancebeyond the lobes 410 such that when a lobe 410 passes a flexiblepiezoelectric sheet 406, the sheet 406 bends to allow the lobe 410 topass. The bending causes the flexible piezoelectric sheets 406 tovibrate and generate energy. Thus, when the rotor 404 rotates, the oneor more lobes 410 continuously cause the one or more flexiblepiezoelectric sheets 406 to bend, and the power generation unit 400generates power. In certain example embodiments, the free end tips offlexible piezoelectric sheets 406, where piezoelectric elements contactwith lobes 410, are made of wear-resistant material to reduce thematerial loss by abrasive wear. In certain other embodiments, and asillustrated in FIG. 9, the lobes 410 are rollers 902 disposed in theroller holders 904. In certain example embodiments, the rotor 404 iscoupled to an impeller 204 (FIG. 2) and thus rotates when the impeller204 rotates in response to the flow of fluid. In certain exampleembodiments, the rotor 404 is disposed around the pipe 202 (FIG. 2) androtates around the pipe 202.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unit 500having stacked piezoelectric elements 506, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 5, thepower generation unit 500 includes a rotor 502 and a stator 504. Incertain example embodiments, the rotor 502 is cylindrical shaped androtates around the stator 504. The stator 504 is also cylindricallyshaped and includes one or more stacked piezoelectric elements 506disposed along an outer surface 514 of the stator 504. In certainexample embodiments, the stacked piezoelectric elements 506 are disposedin one or more rows. In certain example embodiments, the stackedpiezoelectric elements 506 are disposed in respective recesses 512formed along the outside surface 514. In certain example embodiments, atleast one side of the stacked piezoelectric elements 506 is exposedand/or raised above the profile of the outside surface 514.

In certain example embodiments, the rotor 502 includes one or more lobes510 formed on an inside surface 516. In certain example embodiments, thelobes 510 apply a normal force onto the one or more stackedpiezoelectric elements 506 when the lobes 510 come into contact with thestacked piezoelectric elements 506. The stacked piezoelectric elements506 generate energy when impacted by the normal force. In exampleembodiments, the lobes 510 are formed integrally with the rotor 502. Incertain other embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 10, the lobes 510include rollers 902 disposed in correspondingly shaped roller holders1004 formed on the rotor 502. In certain example embodiments, the rotor502 is coupled to an impeller 204 (FIG. 2) and thus rotates when theimpeller 204 rotates in response to the flow of fluid. When the rotor502 rotates, the one or more lobes 510 continuously impact the one ormore stacked piezoelectric elements 506, and the power generation unit500 converts electric pulses from stacked piezoelectric elements toelectric power. In certain example embodiments, the stator 504 isdisposed around the pipe 202 (FIG. 2). In certain example embodiments,the power generation unit 500 further includes a protective layer 508disposed between the stator 504 and the rotor 502. The protective layer508 is thus also disposed between the stacked piezoelectric elements 506and the lobes 510. The protective layer 508 decreases the amount offrictional force between the stacked piezoelectric elements 506 and thelobes 510, which decreases wear on the stacked piezoelectric elements506. The protective layer 508 can be fabricated from any material whichtranslates the normal force of the lobes 510 to the stackedpiezoelectric elements 506. In certain example embodiments, theprotective layer 508 may be metallic or polymeric materials.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a power generation unit 600having flexible piezoelectric elements 606, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the powergeneration unit 600 includes a rotor 602 and a stator 604. In certainexample embodiments, the stator 604 is disposed with the rotor 602. Therotor 602 is cylindrically shaped and rotates around the stator 604. Thestator 604 includes one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets 606extending outwardly from the stator 604, which is also cylindricallyshaped. In certain example embodiments, the flexible piezoelectricsheets 606 are disposed in one or more rows along a length of the stator604 and around the stator 604.

In certain example embodiments, the rotor 602 includes one or more lobes610 formed on an inside surface 616 of the rotor 602. In certain exampleembodiments, the flexible piezoelectric sheets 606 extend from thestator 604 towards the rotor 602. In certain example embodiments, theflexible piezoelectric sheets 606 extend a distance beyond the lobes 610such that when a lobe 610 passes a flexible piezoelectric sheet 606, thesheet 606 bends to allow the lobe 610 to pass. The bending causes theflexible piezoelectric sheets 606 to vibrate and generate energy. Thus,when the rotor 602 rotates, the one or more lobes 610 continuously causethe one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets 606 to bend, and the powergeneration unit 600 generates power. In certain other embodiments, andas illustrated in FIG. 10, the lobes 510 are rollers 902 disposed in theroller holders 1004. In certain example embodiments, the rotor 602 iscoupled to an impeller 204 (FIG. 2) and thus rotates when the impeller204 rotates in response to the flow of fluid. In certain exampleembodiments, the rotor 602 is disposed around the pipe 202 (FIG. 2) androtates around the pipe 202.

FIG. 7 illustrates a power generation unit 700 with an integratedimpeller, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The power generation unit 700 of FIG. 7 is similar to thepower generation unit 300 of FIGS. 3a and 3b , with the exception thatthe power generation unit 700 further includes an impeller 702 disposedwithin and coupled to the rotor 304, rather than a pipe 202 asillustrated in FIG. 3a . In such example embodiments, an orifice formedin the rotor 304 is configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough,actuating the impeller 702 and causing the impeller 702 to rotate, thuscausing the rotor 304 to rotate as well. When the rotor 304 rotates, thelobes 312 apply a normal force onto the stacked piezoelectric elements306 and energy is generated. In certain example embodiments, the powergeneration unit 400 of FIGS. 4a and 4b can also include an impeller 702coupled to and disposed within the rotor 404. Such embodiments can beused for any power generation application in which fluid is to traversethe rotor 304, 404, such as underwater power generation, wind powergeneration, and the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates a power generation unit 800 with an integratedpropeller, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The power generation unit 800 of FIG. 8 is similar to thepower generation unit 300 of FIGS. 3a and 3b , with the exception thatthe power generation unit 800 further includes a propeller 802 coupledto the rotor 304. In certain example embodiments, the propeller 802extends from the rotor 304. In such example embodiments, when fluidflows towards the power generation unit 800, the propeller 802 spins andcauses the rotor 304 to rotate as well. When the rotor 304 rotates, thelobes 312 apply a normal force onto the stacked piezoelectric elements306 and energy is generated. In certain example embodiments, the powergeneration unit 400 of FIGS. 4a and 4b can also include a propeller 802coupled to the rotor 404. Such embodiments can be used for any powergeneration application in which fluid flows towards the power generationdevice 800 such as in underwater power generation, wind powergeneration, and the like. In certain example embodiments, the propeller802 of FIG. 8 and the impeller 702 of FIG. 7 can also be configured inother arrangements so that they can be coupled to drive the rotors 502,602 when they are positioned on the outer portion of the units as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6.

Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to exampleembodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications are well within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exampleembodiments described herein are not limited to any specificallydiscussed application and that the embodiments described herein areillustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the exampleembodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing otherembodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves topractitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the exampleembodiments is not limited herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A piezoelectric power generation system,comprising: a power generation device comprising: a stator comprising aninternal surface, the internal surface defining an internal orifice; oneor more piezoelectric power generation elements disposed on the internalsurface of the stator; a rotor disposed within the internal orificecomprising one or more lobes formed on an outside surface of the rotor,wherein the rotor is configured to rotate with respect to the stator andthe one or more piezoelectric power generation elements, wherein the oneor more lobes contact the one or more piezoelectric power generationelements as the one or more lobes rotate past the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements, and wherein the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements generate energy when contactedby the one or more lobes; an impeller coupled to the rotor andconfigured to rotate the rotor when the impeller is actuated by a flowof fluid; and a power storage device configured to store energygenerated by the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements. 2.The piezoelectric power generation system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore piezoelectric power generation elements comprise one or morestacked piezoelectric elements, wherein the one or more lobes impart anormal force onto the one or more stacked piezoelectric elements whenthe one or more lobes rotate past the one or more stacked piezoelectricelements.
 3. The piezoelectric power generation system of claim 1,wherein the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements compriseone or more flexible piezoelectric sheets which extend from the statortowards the rotor, and wherein the one or more lobes cause the one ormore flexible piezoelectric sheets to bend when the one or more lobesrotate past the one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets.
 4. Thepiezoelectric power generation system of claim 3, wherein the one ormore flexible piezoelectric sheets each comprise an outer tip having awear-resistance material.
 5. The piezoelectric power generation systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more lobes have at least one of a roundedshape, a triangular shape, or a gear-tooth shape.
 6. The piezoelectricpower generation system of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises acentral opening configured to receive a pipe.
 7. The piezoelectric powergeneration system of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a centralopening configured to receive fluid flow therethrough.
 8. Thepiezoelectric power generation system of claim 1, further comprising ahousing in which the power generation device is disposed, wherein thehousing isolates the power generation device from the flow of fluid. 9.The piezoelectric power generation system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore lobes are formed integrally with the rotor.
 10. The piezoelectricpower generation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more lobesinclude one or more rollers disposed in one or more respective rollerholders formed in the rotor, and wherein the one or more rollers spinfreely within the roller holders.
 11. A piezoelectric power generationdevice, comprising: a stator comprising an internal surface, theinternal surface defining an internal orifice; one or more piezoelectricpower generation elements disposed on the internal surface of thestator; a rotor disposed within the internal orifice comprising one ormore lobes formed on an outside surface of the rotor, wherein the rotoris configured to rotate with respect to the stator and the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements, wherein the one or more lobescontact the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements as theone or more lobes rotate past the one or more piezoelectric powergeneration elements, and wherein the one or more piezoelectric powergeneration elements generate energy when contacted by the one or morelobes.
 12. The piezoelectric power generation device of claim 11,wherein the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements compriseone or more stacked piezoelectric elements, and wherein the one or morelobes impart a normal force onto the one or more stacked piezoelectricelements when the one or more lobes rotate past the one or more stackedpiezoelectric elements.
 13. The piezoelectric power generation device ofclaim 11, wherein the one or more piezoelectric power generationelements comprise one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets which extendfrom the stator towards the rotor, and wherein the one or more lobescause the one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets to bend when the oneor more lobes rotate past the one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets.14. The piezoelectric power generation device of claim 11, furthercomprising an impeller coupled and disposed within to the rotor, whereinactuation of the impeller rotates the rotor.
 15. The piezoelectric powergeneration device of claim 11, further comprising a propeller coupled tothe rotor, wherein actuation of the propeller rotates the rotor.
 16. Thepiezoelectric power generation device of claim 12, further comprising aprotective layer disposed between the one or more stacked piezoelectricelements and the one or more lobes, wherein the protective layertransfers the normal force applied by the one or more lobes to the oneor more stacked piezoelectric elements.
 17. The piezoelectric powergeneration device of claim 11, wherein the stator and the rotor are bothcylindrically shaped.
 18. A piezoelectric power generation device,comprising: a rotor comprising an internal surface, the internal surfacedefining an internal orifice, wherein one or more lobes are disposed onthe internal surface; a stator disposed within the internal orifice, thestator comprising an outer surface; and one or more piezoelectric powergeneration elements disposed on the outer surface of the stator towardsthe internal surface of the rotor, wherein the rotor is configured torotate around the stator and the one or more piezoelectric powergeneration elements, wherein the one or more lobes contact the one ormore piezoelectric power generation elements as the one or more lobesrotate past the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements, andwherein the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements generateenergy when contacted by the one or more lobes.
 19. The piezoelectricpower generation device of claim 18, wherein the one or morepiezoelectric power generation elements comprise one or more stackedpiezoelectric elements, and wherein the one or more lobes impart anormal force onto the one or more stacked piezoelectric elements whenthe one or more lobes rotate past the one or more stacked piezoelectricelements.
 20. The piezoelectric power generation device of claim 18,wherein the one or more piezoelectric power generation elements compriseone or more flexible piezoelectric sheets which extend from the statortowards the rotor, and wherein the one or more lobes cause the one ormore flexible piezoelectric sheets to bend when the one or more lobesrotate past the one or more flexible piezoelectric sheets.
 21. Thepiezoelectric power generation device of claim 19, further comprising aprotective layer disposed between the one or more stacked piezoelectricelements and the one or more lobes, wherein the protective layertransfers the normal force applied by the one or more lobes to the oneor more stacked piezoelectric elements.
 22. The piezoelectric powergeneration device of claim 18, further comprising an impeller coupled tothe rotor and configured to rotate the rotor.
 23. The piezoelectricpower generation device of claim 18, wherein the stator comprises acentral opening configured to receive a pipe or a flow of fluidtherethrough.
 24. The piezoelectric power generation device of claim 18,wherein the one or more lobes are formed integrally with the rotor. 25.The piezoelectric power generation device of claim 18, wherein the oneor more lobes include one or more rollers disposed in one or morerespective roller holders formed in the rotor, and wherein the one ormore rollers spin freely within the roller holders.
 26. Thepiezoelectric power generation system of claim 20, wherein the one ormore flexible piezoelectric sheets each comprise an outer tip having awear-resistance material.